St. Louis boasts a vibrant and constantly evolving food scene. But what truly sets its culinary offerings apart? What are the iconic dishes that define St. Louis cuisine? This guide dives into the classic, old-school eateries and the unique foods that have become synonymous with the city.
Pork Steaks
During the summer months, no St. Louis barbecue is complete without pork steaks. This cut comes from the pork shoulder, also known as the Boston Butt. The slow cooking process and generous application of BBQ sauce tenderize this cut, which is also commonly used for pulled pork. While you might expect to find it on the menu of every barbecue restaurant in St. Louis, that isn’t always the case. Many establishments prefer to use it for pulled pork. For a truly traditional pork steak, head to Smokie O’s Barbeque on North Broadway. This family has perfected their slow-cooked barbecue since 1997. As an added bonus, it’s conveniently located across the street from Bissinger Chocolates.
Toasted Ravioli
These delightful, breaded, deep-fried ravioli originated on “The Hill,” where our flagship food tour takes place. Filled with meat or cheese, these crispy pillows of deliciousness are a true St. Louis treasure. Two restaurants on The Hill, Charlie Gitto’s and Mama Campisi’s, both claim to be the originators of the toasted ravioli. While some restaurants now use regular boiled ravioli, breading and frying them, true toasted ravioli aficionados can taste the difference.
For handmade toasted ravioli, visit Mama Toscano’s Ravioli. The Toscano family has been crafting these delicacies by hand since the late 1940s. They offer the original meat (beef and pork blend), cheese (ricotta cheese-based filling), and pizza (sausage, pizza sauce, and Provel cheese) varieties.
St. Louis Style Pizza
Characterized by its thin, crispy crust, generous topping of Provel cheese, and square-cut slices, St. Louis-style pizza is a local favorite. The defining ingredient is undoubtedly Provel cheese, a processed cheese loaf made specifically for the St. Louis market. It’s a blend of white cheddar, provolone, and Swiss cheeses, formulated for its exceptional melting properties.
IMO’s Pizza Chain is the iconic pizzeria credited with popularizing St. Louis-style pizza. Many St. Louisans have a deep affection for Provel. With over 99 locations, there’s likely an IMO’s near you.
The St. Louis Slinger
The slinger is a late-night culinary staple, popular among college students and found at many diners throughout St. Louis. It’s a diner specialty comprised of a meat patty (typically hamburger), topped with hash browns and two eggs (usually sunny-side up), all smothered in chili and shredded cheddar cheese. Optional additions include onions and jalapeño slices.
For the ultimate slinger experience, visit Courtesy Diner at 3 a.m. on a Sunday morning, when the bars close and the crowds descend for their fix. Courtesy Diner serves slingers all day long. It’s a substantial meal that will keep you full for hours.
St. Paul Sandwich
Despite its name, the St. Paul sandwich is a staple in almost every Chinese take-out restaurant in St. Louis and its surrounding areas. The sandwich consists of an egg foo young patty (made with mung bean sprouts and chopped white onions), topped with dill pickle slices, lettuce, tomato, onion slices, and mayonnaise, all between two slices of white bread. You can choose chicken, pork, shrimp, or beef in the egg foo young patty.
To find one, simply search “Chinese food take out St. Louis” and call a nearby eatery to see if they offer it.
Gooey Butter Cake
Gooey butter cake is a beloved St. Louis dessert. This flat, dense coffee cake, about an inch tall, is typically dusted with powdered sugar and cut into squares like brownies. It features a bottom layer of butter and yellow cake batter and a top layer of butter, sugar, and eggs. It’s incredibly rich and delicious. Variations include cream cheese versions, but many prefer those without.
The best gooey butter cake is usually found at bakeries or coffee shops. Gooey Louie is a top choice, known for its perfect proportions of cake to gooey butter filling and its fresh, daily varieties. They ship nationwide! Park Avenue Coffee is another excellent option with a wide variety and multiple locations.
Gerber Sandwich
The Gerber sandwich originated at the family-owned Ruma’s Deli in 1973, named after a customer named Dick Gerber. This open-faced sandwich consists of a half-section of Italian or French bread, spread with garlic butter and topped with ham and Provel (traditionally) or Provolone cheese, seasoned with paprika and toasted.
Many St. Louis delis offer their own version of the Gerber. To experience the original, visit one of the two remaining Ruma’s Deli locations. Consider ordering a half Prosperity (roast beef) and half Gerber for the best of both worlds.
Concrete
While St. Louis has many ice cream shops, few offer frozen custard, a dairy-based ice cream made with eggs and honey. A concrete is frozen custard blended with various ingredients. The mixture is so thick that a spoon inserted into the custard will not fall out if the cup is inverted.
The ultimate classic concrete is found at Ted Drewes Frozen Custard. Their location on Chippewa Avenue (Route 66) is a popular spot during summer evenings, with crowds enjoying their signature yellow cups. Despite numerous franchise requests, Ted Drewes remains a family-owned business.
In conclusion, St. Louis offers a unique and delicious culinary landscape. From savory pork steaks and toasted ravioli to sweet gooey butter cake and frozen concretes, these iconic foods provide a true taste of St. Louis. Explore these local favorites and discover what makes the St. Louis food scene so special.
